Adjusting the bayfront vision

Principles of 2007 cultural district 'master plan' are still valid

The future of the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall is at the center of renewed
discussions about redeveloping Sarasota's bayfront cultural district.

HERALD-TRIBUNE ARCHIVE

Published: Wednesday, July 23, 2014 at 1:00 a.m.

Last Modified: Tuesday, July 22, 2014 at 8:29 p.m.

What should be done when Sarasota outgrows its big "purple palace" -- the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall?

That's a major question that needs to be addressed as the community once again pursues an upgrade of its bayfront cultural district.

The district -- 40-plus acres of publicly owned, prime bayfront property -- was the focus of a five-year "master plan" process whose vision was approved by city commissioners in 2007. The plan, which called for a mix of public park uses, performance space and commercial development, aimed to "develop a public place which celebrates the Bay, provides a place for families and residents of all ages, and promotes and enriches the cultural activities of the City."

Those principles remain valid, despite the passage of time. City commissioners emphasized this Monday when they weighed in on new attempts (led by other groups, not the city) to redevelop the cultural district.

Commissioners drew certain parameters Monday, saying new visions for the area should be grounded in the principles of the existing master plan. They also said they are not in favor of including a conference center on the site.

Past commissions grappled with that same controversy. In fact, debates over a conference center and a sequel to Van Wezel were key reasons why the original master plan process was so belabored.

Neither issue was well resolved back then. If agreement cannot be reached this time around, the district initiative could again be stymied, despite improved economic circumstances. To that end, Bayfront 20:20 -- a group that is conducting community conversations in an effort to create a shared vision for the city property -- agreed to use the existing plan as a basis for discussions.

Accommodating the Van Wezel

The 44-year-old, renovated Van Wezel is one of the region's most prized arts assets, and will continue to be for years. Yet, at some point the Sarasota-Manatee area will outgrow this 1,700-seat facility. Then what? If a larger hall is to be built nearby on the bayfront, space needs to be reserved for this future asset -- with thought given, as well, to preserving the architecturally significant Van Wezel. These decisions, in turn, would affect the overall development of the cultural district, much of which is encumbered by strict height limits and use restrictions that can't easily be changed.

The city-owned hall sits at the heart of this district, surrounded by a surface parking lot that is packed during sold-out shows, but mostly empty the rest of the time.

In that space, advocates see the potential for a much livelier bayfront. Suggestions have included new cultural venues, a Mote Marine aquarium, new symphony digs, a parking garage, perhaps a hotel, and more. A private group, unrelated to Bayfront 20:20, has also pitched a plan. And there is the possibility that the public area could tie into adjacent properties, under private ownership, that will be redeveloped.

Despite its air of vacancy, the cultural district today is already loaded with assets beyond the Van Wezel: a beautiful bay walk, soaring sculpture, the vintage Municipal Auditorium, the Sarasota Orchestra, the Sarasota Art Center, the old Chidsey library, U.S. Masters Swimming headquarters, the Garden Club, lawn bowling, and the (now-defunct) G. Wiz science museum. Just north of all this are the very popular public boat ramps and Centennial Park.

Where are the people?

It's an impressive list, reflecting a historic tradition that should be honored. But visit the property on any given afternoon and (after you're hit with the breathtaking view) you're likely to ask yourself this question: Where are the people? For all of the area's inherent value, it often seems deserted.

It's long been recognized that the land has not enjoyed the vitality it deserves, coasting far below its potential. As former City Manager Mike McNees put it in a 2002 interview with the Herald-Tribune, "It is clearly a vastly underutilized asset, to have a percentage of that fantastic bayfront public property in asphalt-covered surface parking. It's probably not the best we can do ..."

Under McNees, the master planning process began. It drew great interest and input from the public, whose ideas -- particularly the desire to preserve public access to the bayfront and its views -- were incorporated into the vision. The planning alone cost about $400,000, with no clear decision on how to finance its actual implementation. Partial commercialization, as a funding mechanism, was controversial.

The financing question must now be addressed more thoroughly as renewed interest in the district builds.

It's also important to recognize that the master plan was vague in some respects -- a reflection of uncertainties and lack of consensus surrounding future performance space. Cultural groups debated which of them would get a building, what would go where, and such.

Once those differences can be ironed out, the prospect of bringing this long-desired vision to fruition improves dramatically.

Done properly -- with strategic foresight and respect for the inclusive principles of the master plan -- the cultural district will become an even greater asset for the public than it already is. Here's to that.

<p>What should be done when Sarasota outgrows its big "purple palace" -- the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall?</p><p>That's a major question that needs to be addressed as the community once again pursues an upgrade of its bayfront cultural district.</p><p>The district -- 40-plus acres of publicly owned, prime bayfront property -- was the focus of a five-year "master plan" process whose vision was approved by city commissioners in 2007. The plan, which called for a mix of public park uses, performance space and commercial development, aimed to "develop a public place which celebrates the Bay, provides a place for families and residents of all ages, and promotes and enriches the cultural activities of the City."</p><p>Those principles remain valid, despite the passage of time. City commissioners emphasized this Monday when they weighed in on new attempts (led by other groups, not the city) to redevelop the cultural district.</p><p>Commissioners drew certain parameters Monday, saying new visions for the area should be grounded in the principles of the existing master plan. They also said they are not in favor of including a conference center on the site.</p><p>Past commissions grappled with that same controversy. In fact, debates over a conference center and a sequel to Van Wezel were key reasons why the original master plan process was so belabored.</p><p>Neither issue was well resolved back then. If agreement cannot be reached this time around, the district initiative could again be stymied, despite improved economic circumstances. To that end, Bayfront 20:20 -- a group that is conducting community conversations in an effort to create a shared vision for the city property -- agreed to use the existing plan as a basis for discussions.</p><p>Accommodating the Van Wezel</p><p>The 44-year-old, renovated Van Wezel is one of the region's most prized arts assets, and will continue to be for years. Yet, at some point the Sarasota-Manatee area will outgrow this 1,700-seat facility. Then what? If a larger hall is to be built nearby on the bayfront, space needs to be reserved for this future asset -- with thought given, as well, to preserving the architecturally significant Van Wezel. These decisions, in turn, would affect the overall development of the cultural district, much of which is encumbered by strict height limits and use restrictions that can't easily be changed.</p><p>The city-owned hall sits at the heart of this district, surrounded by a surface parking lot that is packed during sold-out shows, but mostly empty the rest of the time.</p><p>In that space, advocates see the potential for a much livelier bayfront. Suggestions have included new cultural venues, a Mote Marine aquarium, new symphony digs, a parking garage, perhaps a hotel, and more. A private group, unrelated to Bayfront 20:20, has also pitched a plan. And there is the possibility that the public area could tie into adjacent properties, under private ownership, that will be redeveloped.</p><p>Despite its air of vacancy, the cultural district today is already loaded with assets beyond the Van Wezel: a beautiful bay walk, soaring sculpture, the vintage Municipal Auditorium, the Sarasota Orchestra, the Sarasota Art Center, the old Chidsey library, U.S. Masters Swimming headquarters, the Garden Club, lawn bowling, and the (now-defunct) G. Wiz science museum. Just north of all this are the very popular public boat ramps and Centennial Park.</p><p>Where are the people?</p><p>It's an impressive list, reflecting a historic tradition that should be honored. But visit the property on any given afternoon and (after you're hit with the breathtaking view) you're likely to ask yourself this question: Where are the people? For all of the area's inherent value, it often seems deserted.</p><p>It's long been recognized that the land has not enjoyed the vitality it deserves, coasting far below its potential. As former City Manager Mike McNees put it in a 2002 interview with the Herald-Tribune, "It is clearly a vastly underutilized asset, to have a percentage of that fantastic bayfront public property in asphalt-covered surface parking. It's probably not the best we can do ..."</p><p>Under McNees, the master planning process began. It drew great interest and input from the public, whose ideas -- particularly the desire to preserve public access to the bayfront and its views -- were incorporated into the vision. The planning alone cost about $400,000, with no clear decision on how to finance its actual implementation. Partial commercialization, as a funding mechanism, was controversial.</p><p>The financing question must now be addressed more thoroughly as renewed interest in the district builds.</p><p>It's also important to recognize that the master plan was vague in some respects -- a reflection of uncertainties and lack of consensus surrounding future performance space. Cultural groups debated which of them would get a building, what would go where, and such.</p><p>Once those differences can be ironed out, the prospect of bringing this long-desired vision to fruition improves dramatically.</p><p>Done properly -- with strategic foresight and respect for the inclusive principles of the master plan -- the cultural district will become an even greater asset for the public than it already is. Here's to that.</p>